02/01/2023
REVIEW: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 4/5 stars but only because of food! If food was better and they had at least table clothes on tables (or maybe flowers on tables) 5/5 stars!
GEISER GRAND HOTEL, Baker City, Oregon
This historic and absolutely gorgeous hotel radiates warmth, charm and class…but the staff are what really makes it wonderfully special!
My husband and I had the delight of staying at the Geiser Grand Hotel (GGH) recently. Although I was raised locally, just over the mountain, I had never had the privilege of lodging there.
I highly recommend taking the tour beforehand (2:30 daily)!
You will be fascinated by the hotel’s glorious and even sketchy past. I won’t spoil it all but it deserves to be mentioned that the hotel was the third west of the Mississippi to have an elevator, Baker City was the second city in Oregon to have electricity and keep your eyes out for the gorgeous tin ceiling! The hotel boasts 24 of the 26 Murano chandeliers missing only two out of the entire set (one was coveted and purchased by a famous celebrity designer and one went to a museum. The tour will divulge all)!
We had the pleasure of having a drink and appetizer in the bar and chatting with Gabe, the incredibly friendly, fun and convivial bar tender. He was very interesting and charming and made us feel very welcome as did the entire staff!
The staff is amazing! Each and every one strives to serve and make your stay as memorable and exceptional in every way!
For instance: I realize this is common and sometimes unfortunately necessary thing for hotels to accommodate but I was very disappointed to see they allow dogs in such a fine hotel!!!
Not because I don’t like dogs but because I’m allergic and they obviously cannot shampoo the carpets or wash the duvets after every dog stay of the smell, and dander!
However, this ended up not being an allergic nightmare because Dillon is an exceptional manager in every way! He offered me a second story room, (as the second level rooms do not allow dogs), but since I had a top third floor adorable, cozy room,with a gorgeous view, the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in, a fantastic sized bathroom and nobody above me to keep me awake..I elected to stay with the ‘dog floor room.’
I figured I’d just be miserable the next morning and take a Benedryl Dillion went above and beyond and He said, “would you like me to put an air purifier in your room?”
I was happily astonished that he would offer me an air purifier! I was so touched by his genuine care and concern! He literally saved me from congestion, watery eyes, scratchy throat and allergic with just that kind gesture! When he changes his hat to tour guide, he gives a very interesting and fun tour as well!
The entire staff goes above and beyond for the smallest to the largest request or kindness!
Although I didn’t get her name, the other manager, a friendly and kind blonde woman offered me an upgrade to the infamous room, but it was an additional $250 on top of the (I think) $225 we were paying already so I turned it down). She also managed to get me into a quiet king size room on a corner side, (which want technically available), book dinner reservations and even said she’d check to see if they could get more spa soaker “Relax” bath bombs in or re-ordered before our next visit! Whatever her name was she was equally as fantastic!
All the front staff are absolutely fantastic, warm, welcoming and kind!
Bar food review:
At first I ordered the clam chowder but upon arrival and tasting, it was lukewarm and tasted mainly of potatoes with little clam juice flavor or clams to be seen, I returned it for coconut shrimp instead. They were slightly burnt and a little over cooked but I was definitively not returning them! The orange marmalade was very delicious!! The lady with the moonstone necklace made the BEST lemon drop martini I had ever had, and I’ve had a few! Kudos to her!!
Dining food review:
The dining room is situated under a jaw-droppingly beautiful stained glass ceiling! Since it was Christmas they had a spectacular Christmas tree and lights up..it was beautifully decorated! However, the dining room itself felt uninviting and lacked the same luxurious atmosphere the rest of the hotel had. I truly believe they should have cloth tablecloth’s on the tables!! This would add an inviting and warmth to the room! If they really wanted to impress, they’d put a carnation or simple flower or candle on top of the tablecloth! Maybe put a few small palm plants to soften up the room but that is extremely minor compared to the stark naked tables.
We ordered prime rib. The vegetable portion was tiny and very skimpy! They should double the veg and when they say heirloom mashed potatoes they are not heirloom.. they’re russet potatoes😞. My piece of meat had more gristle than my husbands. After Erika challenged me when I turned it back I thought that this dinner wasn’t going to go well. However, as I hadn’t eaten more than two bites, and I explained it was a tough slice and I wasn’t sure why mine had more gristle than his, she gave me a menu. I then ordered salmon and manchego risotto, with green beans. Again the veg portion was like about the size of a silver dollar… tiny, the salmon was dry and overcooked, and the rissoto was very strong with manchego cheese..overpowering it. The bernaise sauce was delicious, had a wonderful fresh herb taste and was a savior to the dry salmon, however the salmon had an excellent flavor!!! It was just a bit dry/over cooked.
The quality of wine (and I don’t mean price, I mean taste) want the best, but it’s Baker…not a big wine drinking town I suppose.
The food was the only let down of the entire experience; and maybe the chef was just having an off day..it happens.
That night it snowed and I was captivated at how beautiful it slowly drifted down in the glow of the old-time glass streetlights outside the tall windows as I sat watching through the lace of our bedroom windows. It was a magical night!
I booked another stay for only a week later to take advantage of a special once a year dinner of lobster flown-in from Maine! I hope the chef is on point this night….and we have some tablecloths❤️.
You won’t regret your stay at the Geiser Grand Hotel, even if it’s just to go to the welcoming bar for drinks and appetizers, a night over stay, or just for dinner!
PS —Geiser Grand powers that be…PLEASE CONSIDER opening your bar for lunch and having food (for lunch)as we are always in town doing shopping during lunchtime!
